Recall 16V594 affects 41,918 2009-2010 Mazda MAZDA6 vehicles for air bag control unit moisture damage. Repair is free at any franchised Mazda dealer.
Mazda is recalling 41,918 2009-2010 MAZDA6 vehicles because moisture can damage the air bag control unit after an improperly applied protective coating. If the unit fails, the air bag warning light comes on and the air bags will not deploy in a crash, increasing injury risk; Mazda dealers will replace the unit free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The air bag control unit in the 2009-2010 Mazda MAZDA6 is the electronic module that watches the crash sensors and tells the air bags when to deploy. Mazda also refers to this area as the SAS unit. It has to stay dry and electrically stable so the restraint system can read a crash signal correctly.
On affected cars, the protective coating on that unit was not applied correctly during manufacturing. Moisture can get into the unit and damage its electronics. Once the module is damaged, it can malfunction and stop the air bag system from working as designed during a crash.
There is no warning sign before failure. When the system detects a malfunction, the air bag warning light is designed to turn on, so treat that light as a service warning and have a Mazda dealer check the recall status by VIN.
Who's affected?
The listed scope covers the 2009 and 2010 MAZDA6, with the air bag system and front air bag control module called out separately.
| 2009 Mazda MAZDA6 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2009 Mazda MAZDA6 | air bag system |
| 2010 Mazda MAZDA6 | front air bag |
| 2010 Mazda MAZDA6 | air bag system |
| Units affected | 41,918 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the air bag control unit fails, the air bag warning light turns on and the air bags do not deploy in a crash, increasing injury risk. Schedule the recall repair soon, especially if the warning light is on. Repair is free at any franchised Mazda dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2010 Mazda MAZDA6 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Mazda dealer to schedule the free ACU replacement that addresses moisture damage to the air bag control unit.
- Bring the recall notice if Mazda mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V594 when you call.
- Avoid delaying the repair; a failed ACU can turn on the air bag warning light and keep the air bags from deploying in a crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mazda technician replaces the air bag control unit, also called the ACU. The replacement part and labor are free under recall 16V594. Mazda has a general reimbursement plan on file for eligible out of pocket ACU repairs paid before the recall repair. Contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 or ask the service desk what documentation Mazda requires for a reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 11, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 16, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| September 16, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 3, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| October 3, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 12, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V594?
Recall 16V594 covers 41,918 2009-2010 Mazda MAZDA6 vehicles with an air bag control unit coating problem. Moisture can damage the unit, turn on the air bag warning light, and stop the air bags from deploying in a crash. Mazda dealers replace the ACU for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2010 Mazda MAZDA6 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific MAZDA6 is included in recall 16V594. If it is, contact a franchised Mazda dealer and ask for the free air bag control unit replacement. Reference recall 16V594 or Mazda recall 9816H when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Mazda's remedy says dealers will replace the air bag control unit free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Mazda dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that the air bags do not deploy in a crash. Mazda says moisture damage to the air bag control unit can make the unit fail, illuminate the air bag warning light, and increase the risk of injury in a crash.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for the air bag warning light. Mazda says ACU failure would illuminate that light, which means the air bag system needs dealer attention. Do not ignore it. Check your VIN and schedule the free recall repair if your MAZDA6 is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V594000 |
|---|---|
| Mazda customer service | 1-800-222-5500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V594 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V594000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →